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Secondary education

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Original poster

NCS - don't bother

17 replies

NikkiMG · 12/05/2021 19:28

I booked my teenage son onto an NCS course for this summer. It sounded great - only £50 for 2 weeks. My advice? Don't bother. They take your money and confirm your booking verbally then tell you weeks later that you don't have a booking. NCS blames its partner, Activate and Activate blames NCS. We booked holidays etc around this and now they have let us down. Incompetent - don't waste your time.

OP posts:
DonGray · 12/05/2021 21:04

I looked at their website but it was impossible to navigate and I was unable to find any local courses

whiteroseredrose · 12/05/2021 23:40

Is this different to the 4 week NCS at the end of Y11? Both DC did that and it was great.

TeenMinusTests · 13/05/2021 07:03

I can see you're annoyed. But one screw up doesn't negate the positive effect NCS has had on thousands of teenagers. Mine didn't do it but I know a number of kids who did and enjoyed it.

JohnsRaincoatLost · 13/05/2021 07:25

@TeenMinusTests

I can see you're annoyed. But one screw up doesn't negate the positive effect NCS has had on thousands of teenagers. Mine didn't do it but I know a number of kids who did and enjoyed it.
Agree with this, Ds didn't do it but lots of his mates did and loved it.
Undeuxdrei · 13/05/2021 19:23

Agree. My oldest did 4 weeks of it in y11. Had a week in student accommodation at Salford Uni. Really enjoyed it.

whataboutbob · 13/05/2021 20:40

My DS did it and enjoyed it, but I do remember there was quite a bit of cross communication and chasing up we had to do.

BackforGood · 14/05/2021 18:09

@TeenMinusTests

I can see you're annoyed. But one screw up doesn't negate the positive effect NCS has had on thousands of teenagers. Mine didn't do it but I know a number of kids who did and enjoyed it.
This ^

My 3 all did it and wow! what fantastic value for money!

Just the residential / outdoor ed part would cost hundreds of ££ if you booked that on it's own.

SunshineCake · 14/05/2021 18:11

Well that all sounds like you are having a tantrum.

My son did it and it was fantastic with no issues. It was a four week programme and this summer he is going back to work for them.

Libertynan · 14/05/2021 18:12

Mine and friends' DC have done this andfound it an amazing experience.

I agree with PP that sometimes communication was a little lacking but I am persistent. Everything worked out fine.

Get back on to the organiser and sort it out.

looptheloopinahulahoop · 16/05/2021 20:42

But they can just add your ds to the cohort? When ds would have done it they were taking very late bookings. Or can they not do that this time because of covid?

RavingAnnie · 16/05/2021 20:52

My DS did NCS and it was absolutely amazing for him. He really developed; it way exceeded my expectations. I'm sorry you were let down, that must be very frustrating for you, but I don't think one mistake negates the whole NCS scheme.

Howshouldibehave · 16/05/2021 20:54

My DS did 3 weeks of NCS at the end of y11-he really enjoyed it!

ForThePurposeOfTheTape · 17/05/2021 15:33

My dd liked having something structured to do during the long summer after GCSEs

EversoDelighted · 17/05/2021 15:40

We tried booking for last year (before Covid kicked in) and the whole thing was a bit of a shambles, they wanted to book him onto a group 40 miles away when we know they normally operate in our town, they couldn't confirm of there were going to be any closer to home, or the dates, it was a mess so we backed out but got deluges with phone calls, texts and emails for months after. We said we might try again this year, I must ask DS if he's still interested.

GreyhoundG1rl · 18/05/2021 01:39

@TeenMinusTests

I can see you're annoyed. But one screw up doesn't negate the positive effect NCS has had on thousands of teenagers. Mine didn't do it but I know a number of kids who did and enjoyed it.
Agreed. Honestly, op, exhorting the world at large to "not bother" because you've had a bit of hassle with your booking??
FuckYouCorona · 18/05/2021 02:18

I agree OP. They completely cocked it up with my DD's booking & I asked for a refund because they wanted her to travel with a very non-local group. I explained that DD has severe anxiety & this wouldn't work for her but they said all the right things, promised her a one to one supporter & said that they'd pull out all the stops to enable DD to have a good, productive experience.

My arse they did. Anything but. Angry DD was on the phone constantly crying, saying she was alone in her room. Her supporter was shared between her & another DC so was with them. DD ended up coming home in a taxi at midnight. It caused more harm than good. I'm still furious & it was 6 years ago now. They clearly still haven't learned. Didn't even suggest to DC2 to go.

GreyhoundG1rl · 18/05/2021 11:52

I wouldn't have expected it to be suitable for a severely anxious child, to be honest...

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